Tag: Festival mall

To eat is an activity that we Filipinos are fond of. We dine to bond, to chat, to be relaxed, to cherish moments and look forward to the next “eating out” together.

As diversed as we are, we are adventurous and fearless to try new things, we appreciate different cultures and cuisines. One of ours is Japanese food along with the rest of the world’s offerings.

Jen and I’s favorite are Italian and Japanese food, of course we love our own Filipino dishes too. Jen recently fostered a penchant for Korean dishes which I couldn’t support since I am not into too spicy food. =)

When Festival Mall did an expansion last year, Tenya is one of those exciting restaurants which occupied the expansion wing – The Water Garden. Strategically located at the entrance and just a short walk from Civic drive, Alabang.

They’re in Indonesia and Thailand too. And more than 200 branches in Japan.

We opted to try it out usually due to our cravings. We’re in sync this time, usually, we craved differently so we had to decide whose wish will be granted. =)

Tenya’s interiors maintained the image of a typical Japanese restaurant with lanterns bearing some significant characters, always eye-catching you can’t help but look-up.

That Zen feel (less is more), the unique atmosphere, minimalist approach and often uses neutral color scheme and natural woods with touches of bright colors like red, yellow or green.

The wall calligraphy added the space a modern bibe and cascades commitment.

Tenya’s offering boast its’ expertise in tendon. Mr. Yoshio Iwashita, opened a restaurant way back 1989 which provides a more affordable offering since tendon are expensive, and so the menu says. =)

Tendon, also known as donburi (a bowl of rice with toppings),usually a complete meal, with everything on it, shrimp tempura, fish, vegetables,
squid, or any meat will do, topped on a steamed rice that comes with a special dontare sauce.

So I got the one with a poster outside. The Ultimate crab tendon teishoku. It comes with a special “aligue” (crab fats) sauce.

We truly enjoyed mixing our own sauces. Their claim that theirs are the freshest is very distinct. The servings are just good enough, and the taste just met our expectations. We weren’t disappointed at all.

Due to the season, they just had a hard time attending to requests per table as swiftly as they can. As they only have 2 attendants when we came. There were times when people from production area are the ones serving our orders. Even the Security Officer is extending a hand already. Probably due to lack of personnel.

If I can also suggest, using pitchers with cover that might fall off is also not recommendable. It might spell trouble.

Like this:

It is being famished that our feet led us to this new restaurant at the new wing of Festival Mall. We were looking for something new to have an early dinner and their facade was too eye-catching, plus the barkers who had us stopped and succeeded in convincing us to try their place.

I specifically like the theme, and asked the Restaurant Manager about it, I told her the story I was able to create out of scanning the whole place, according to her, the owner just wanted it to be different from the others, something outlandish or quirky. Or maybe a term I typically use during the early 90s: eclectic.

These lamps mounted on the walls reminded me of a ship’s hallway. Except for the cemented wall.

My take here is that I visualized a group of adventurers who
might have confronted a not so good weather in the sea and
came to a halt, to a remote island perhaps.

Turning a negative situation into a positive one, the group opted to enjoy just being there so as to survive while waiting for some rescue. Of course, they would have to look for food and there’s no denying that the only approach they could cook their meal is by grilling.

And so they came up with this backdrop. Can you see what I
just visualize? Ala Pirates of the Carribean. =)

When it comes to their menu. You’ll have a few choices, it is a fusion of specialties from Asian countries such as: Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, etc. While it’d already suffice since what’s on their list is good enough and would be the usual favorites of foodies like us and pair it with the drink we have in mind.

The attendant recommended that we try the pork & cabbage fried rice, so I got it and Jen tried their signature Phatchick’s fried rice. And paired with tempura and bacon-wrapped Enoki mushroom. That barbecue sauce is so rich in flavor serving the purpose of enhancing what already tastes good to me.I am at a loss for words because it is my first time to try Enoki mushrooms. I didn’t regret as it is flavorful and the texture is just right.

Spend time with office mates from work or just to bond with friends and family and who just want to relax, spend good times and enjoy the night. Their beverage list are a few typical drinks that any customer should be looking for. Try the TIKI cocktails, it is a first here in the Philippines.

I really like it when stuff are personalized. =)

If you want to experience and wander at something new in
Alabang, they’re located at: Ground Floor, Expansion Wing (Water Garden), Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Like this:

“Eating and reading are two pleasures combine admirably.” ~C.S. Lewis~

Each time we passed by this restaurant with a miniature Eiffel tower in front, we always thought of French cuisine. And of course that famous Civil Engineer who did that equally famous landmark in France – Gustave Eiffel. He was also involved in the construction of Quezon bridge and San Sebastian church here in our country. It was always our topic.

Until one late afternoon, Jen and I were too tired to proceed inside Festival Mall to feed the hungry wolves in us after exploring the new wing and Landmark Department Store which opened to the public late last year. We ended up taking another wing and and another (it was huge) and we landed just in front of Gustav Cafe following the end portion of River park.

Out of hunger, we entered the cafe without debate and I heard Jen saying: “As long as there’s pizza.” And I said: “Okay, pizza.” (with eyes rolling)

Upon checking their menu, as expected most of them were in French: “Fish ala Vie”, “Prawns Thermidor”, “Pork de Oignion”, “Bearnaise”, “Pizza le poulet”, and more tongue twisting terms. Ahahaha!

Still, we muddle through to pick our favorites:

Spicy Gambasetti for Jen,

Mushroom in cream pasta for me,

Pizza Le France (take away for my son)

Pizza Le-Blanc for Jen again,

Roast beef open sandwich for me…=)

I especially loved the dough of this bun and discovered that it is made by them, however, I craved for more gravy for my roast beef, it is a little bit dry, and asked the attendant if I can request for more but he said that it is portioned. I didn’t insist to talk to the Manager even if I’m sure, the Manager can provide it, anyway, I still have my pasta.

We didn’t try their drinks, they have frappes, smoothies, beers and cocktails. Because we intend to get our coffees from another cafe that we spotted earlier. =)

After getting our take aways, it is evident (because we were soundless! ahaha!) that we were satisfied by this “first try” as most of what we ordered were flavorful (except for the dry roast beef), most expectations met and we were assisted by the staff accordingly.

It is worth another try, they have this wide selection of appetizing line-up. =)

Bon appetit!

You will find Gustav Cafe at Ground Floor, Water Garden, Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City (just across the parking lot). Other locations are: Kings Borough, San Fernando Interchange, Dolurez, San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga and McArthur Highway, Angeles City

Like this:

Hi! I’m Beaut!

They used to call me “Laguna girl”. I grew up in San Pedro, Laguna in the Southern part of the Philippines. An only daughter with an only son.Passionate with so many things. A lover of life itself. First is to write. I used to sing (I specifically love the stage), I read a lot,

I cook simple to challenging recipes for my loved ones, I travel to capture breathtaking pictures (inheriting my passion in Photography from my late father), a nature lover, I find rainbows, butterflies,

flowers,

rainbows and trees as God’s most beautiful gifts.

I love it that traveling allows me try and learn cuisines that are new to me (being a foodie) and I get to meet different people too.

I do abstract painting, I am a Craft enthusiast (quilting & scrap-booking), all of which are my own way of expressing my love for life and surround myself with anything but pretty.

Blogging makes me happy and I want to see if I’m going to click in that premise. Sharing anything that might benefit my circle and mankind too, specifically my fellow Filipinos here and abroad.

I’m a color devotee and been in love with the color purple or violet.

I like pink, red and teal too! =) I dreamt of joining that team who does colorful outdoor murals. Or anything that has to do with the Arts.

Coffee is my water,

and my comfort food are: blueberry cheesecake, frozen yogurt, sansrival and cream puff. I mastered fettuccine carbonara because it is my favorite, along broccoli with prawns and mushrooms.

I love “Stitch” – that grinning indigo pup and still in love with Daryl (remember those muscles in the series “The Walking Dead”).

I have a sort of vintage taste for Interior Designing, Gardening and Fashion (must be the gypsy in me). I am awed by it validating my wondering if I am an old soul.

Ultimately, I intend to be a not so famous Author someday. I’m just waiting for God’s time for my first book to be published.

Please drop by for a comment or two, you are always welcome here, come fly with me “On Purple Wings!”(–,)

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